I'm loving all kinds of animal prints at the moment. Leopard, snakeskin, zebra, tortoise, giraffe... Almost anything goes really! Animal prints and especially leopard pattern are also one of the biggest trends of this summer, so we've definitely moved forwards from last summer's quite minimalistic gingham trend to quite literally wilder prints.

Animal prints are also one of those things that always make a comeback after a certain amount of time. I remember when maybe around ten years ago no one young or anyone wanting to dress in good taste would wear animal prints, but little by little the wilder patterns have been making their way into the wardrobes of the young as well, and I've seen a stylish and elegant outfit after another that somehow incorporates animal prints. And that's why leopard, snakeskin and zebra prints are also quite a safe addition to make into your wardrobe as they're not just one-time, come-and-go fad, but will be super trendy again a few years after their current 'moment' has passed.

A good example of this is these leopard shorts of mine that I've bought from Gina Tricot already a good few years ago. Throughout the years the frequency on which I've been using these has certainly fluctuated, and for example last summer I think I only wore these inside the house as 'loungewear'. This summer is a completely different story though as I've been wearing the leopard shorts in multiple different occasions and outfits. However, this leo shorts and a white blouse outfit has to be my absolute favourite, there's just something about the way the fresh white colour, light material and relaxed but feminine shape of the blouse works with the leopard print that I really like! The result is stylish and elegant, and in no way tacky or over the top.

This summer I've been using three specific pieces of accessories more than anything else. All these three have already been featured here on the blog as well as on my Instagram a few times, but there's no signs of getting fed up with them yet. Quite on the contrary actually, I could easily wear these three every single day! My opinion has always been that good accessories can really make an outfit, and these three definitely do that every single time. Boring looks can instantly be brightened up with great accessories, and these three favourite summer accessories of mine have done exactly that multiple times already.

Cult Gaia bags are definitely the best of summer handbags, and after longing for one for ages I finally got myself my own Gia's Ark bag. I've been more than happy with my mini sized Ark, and you can read more about the bag in this post, whereas outfit inspiration with the bag can be found here, hereand here.

Zara silk scarf

In my hair, tied to my bag, as a neck scarf... This silky Zara scarf that I bought a year ago has paid itself back multiple times already for sure, that's how much I've been using it already this summer alone! I've been wearing the scarf a lot especially tied into my hair or around my neck, but it also works super well when tied to a handbag. And protects your head from the sun too when tied around the head while sunbathing!

IvanaHelsinki sunglasses(gifted)

I've only had these IvanaHelsinki sunglasses for a little while, but they instantly became my favourite and most used pair of sunnies of this summer! The round shape and tan colour is just so lovely, retro and summery, and these have brought something completely new and never-seen-before into my collection of sunglasses.

Last Thursday I started the day with a lovely brunch at the cutest little cafe called Kahvila Siili (Cafe Hedgehog) in Helsinki. This brunch look of mine gave me some real 'ladies who brunch' vibes, and I had actually spotted the look on my brunch date the last time I saw her a few weeks ago. When we met up, my friend even said to me that she'd been thinking about wearing a similar look to our brunch as well, and that's when I just had to tell her that my outfit of the day was actually completely inspired by her.

So it's definitely not only blogs, Instagram, Pinterest or on the pages of fashion magazines where you can get outfit inspiration from, but in real life and in real encounterings with actual people. And I'm particularly lucky in the sense that I have some super stylish and fashionable ladies around me that can give me lots and lots of outfit inspiration! This is also the reason why good old people watching is one of my favourite pastimes, as more often than not you can spot some amazing looks and styles walking on the streets. Sometimes I even write these outfit combinations down to the notes app on my phone like 'white shirt + black jeans + red silk scarf', so they're there to help me on those days when I wake up in the morning hit by an outfit crisis. I can 100% recommend this technique, it has saved me multiple times already!

P.S. Speaking of Pinterest and inspiration, a Pinterest-like shopping site Impulse is launching in a few weeks time. Impulse curates a selection of brands under one roof into a Pinterest like platform, but everything you see is actually shoppable! I did an interview with Impulse a while ago, you can check the interview and my answers to the fun and quite surprising questions in here. The site is launching in a few weeks, but if you want an early access to the site and glimpses into the brands and products that are coming up then use the code 'O5cYps' when signing up. (Disclosure: I was contacted by Impulse, but this post per se is not in collaboration with Impulse).

Last weekend was definitely one of the best and most memorable weekends of the summer! Total number of hours slept during the weekend is probably around 7, and on Sunday night I was one super tired but super happy gal when returning back to the capital area. The weekend was full of joy, laughter and unforgettable moments, thanks to e.g. Pori Jazz festival and the Housing Fair, and these are some of the moments I'll surely reminisce with a smile on my face for years to become.

- A loud James Blunt singalong in the car - Spending time with old and new friends- For once I was actually the one who knew the way when driving to Pori because that's where I was born and used to grow up (my sense of direction is actually the worst and I've been banned from the passenger seat in the front when road tripping with friends)

- Grabbing a coffee to go from a gas station and being able to get it with Oatly's Barista oat milk (THE best dairy free milk alternative to use in your coffee!)- The overwhelming feeling of relief when discovering I don't actually have to drive a manual car from the city centre to where we were spending the night because there was a free shuttle bus service from the camping place- We did indeed sleep in a tent, but after getting the tent out to put it up we discovered that the actual sticks you use were nowhere to be found. But we did manage to get the tent up, and it even stayed so through the night. We definitely got a good laugh out of the situation and a great start to our trip :D- Eating super delicious vegan festival food

- Dancing long into the night, first to a live band playing and then with a dj that played the greatest old super hits- All the interior inspiration the Housing Fair provided, and left me wanting to fill my home with all the plants- Conversations that went on for hours and hours, and made you feel like you've known someone for way longer than you actually have- Super wam summer nights and not feeling cold when walking outside bare legged

Those are some of the moments that made up the weekend that was the best and the most unforgettable weekend of my summer so far! Although I'm feeling tired, the weekend was definitely worth the couple of badly slept nights, and I'm starting this Monday and the new week with a big smile! Have a great last full week of July everyone ♥︎

Linen has always been a popular summer material, but this year its popularity has just exploded! A brand after another from high street all the way to the more premium brands are offering beautiful linen pieces in their summer collections, and under the influence of all of these collections I've also fallen in love with the beautiful natural material.

As a blazer-loving gal, I had been looking for a light linen blazer to go with my summer outfits. However, I had a certain criteria I wanted the blazer to fill, and that's why I didn't just grab the first one I came across and liked the look of. The biggest criterion was that I wanted the blazer to be 100% linen, as the natural fibre would be cooler and airier, and therefore also more comfortable, in summer when compared to the synthetic alternatives. I found many a gorgeous option online, but then there was the other criterion: I didn't want to pay a huge amount of money even though I wanted a quality piece.

Finally I found a light, 100% linen blazer that ticked all of the boxes from the Reuse Centre! This blazer does have a synthetic lining however, but because it was otherwise such a great find I didn't hesitate buying the blazer for long. 100% linen outer layer, a second-hand find so better for the environment too, beautiful light colour, pockets, and the price. Check, check, check, check and check. The original price for the blazer was 5€, but thanks to the campaign Reuse Centre was having I only ended up paying a mere 2,5€! I cannot recommend enough to go and check second hand shops, charity shops, flea markets, etc. if you're looking for something specific, you never know what kind of a deal and treasures you might find in there.

Linen is definitely the perfect summer material, as it is light and airy even on those hot summer days. Now that I've gotten my first linen piece, I really want to get more linen into my wardrobe too. Dresses, shorts, trousers, tops.. gimme all of them! I guess I have to make another round at the Reuse Centre and/or second hand shops soon, I dare to say that the best quality and most durable items will be found there - at least at the most affordable price!

P.S. I found the blazer when touring the Reuse Centre with Ida, who also made a video of our afternoon. It's in Finnish, but go and have a look if you want to see what exactly is a Reuse Centre and what else we found in there!

It's been a while since that last time I did a good old 'what I've been up to lately' kind of post. Of course Monday's post was a glimpse into what's been going on inside my head recently, but that hasn't taken up all of my Summer 2018 that's quickly passing by.

First of all, I finally fully started my summer job at the beginning of July after only doing some shifts and hours in the early summer. I don't want to get into deeper details of where I'm working, but I'm so happy to be able to say that I managed to get myself a job in fashion! At first I had little difficulties actually believing I've managed to snap myself that kind of a job all the way from Glasgow, but yeah, it's really happening and everything is actually real. I really like my job and we have such an amazing group spirit and sense of community at work. After being 'unemployed' for almost two years it also feels so good to be able to say that I am working, and at the same time the job nicely brings some structure to my days.

However, July hasn't been just work no play either, but I've had time to do some blog work and other nice things as well. Last week we spent a couple of hours in the summery Porvoo, and for the first time ever I think it was actually a nice, sunny summer weather when being there. Loved seeing Porvoo in its true glory, and I definitely recommend paying a visit if you're ever in Finland as it's only about an hour away from Helsinki, and it really is such a nice summer city!

Last weekend we got together with all of my best friends that are currently in Finland and spent a lovely summer evening consisting of food, drinks and jacuzzi at our's (or yeah, at my family's :D). I also baked for the first time in ages, and my blueberry pie turned out really well, if I do say so myself. One of the girls actually even stayed for quite an impromptu sleepover too, and we spent the following morning drinking coffee, eating breakfast and just chatting outside.

On Sunday I headed to Helsinki for a few days, and this is where I'm writing to you from at the moment too. My aunt and her husband left for a holiday and I came here to take care of their house and the cat. However, the plans for this Helsinki week include not only work and taking care of the house and the cat, but nice summer activities too in the form of a brunch and a girls' night!

The plan for next weekend, on the other hand, is to have a road trip to my old, very first, home town of Pori! It's always quite nostalgic to return, even though we moved from the city almost 15 years ago. There's an annual Jazz Festival happening in Pori again, so the plan is to head there as well as to the Housing Fair. And as the weather is supposed to be really nice and sunny, we're planning to spend some time at the Yyteri beach too. I haven't visited the beach since moving away, so it's nice to go back and see how the best place of my childhood summers currently looks like! That's what's been going on in my life lately, and some plans for the near future too. What about you guys? How are you? What have you been up to lately?

Some of you might know but some of you might not, that now that I'm back in Finland for the summer, and whenever I come back actually, I move back in with my family. After already moving out once and becoming independent, returning to live back home in a 6-member family isn't always the easiest thing to do, even though I do really like being back home in Finland. These thoughts and feelings come up every time when I visit Finland after moving to Glasgow almost two years ago, but this summer these thoughts have been stronger than before. Of course it plays a role in this that now I'm actually spending a good few months here instead of a mere couple of weeks, and therefore everyone has had to adapt to the family life in a whole new way again. Not only me, but also my parents and siblings who have already gotten used to me having moved from home and not living with the family anymore.

Now that I'm living with the whole family again, I kind of feel that my 'role' is lost. I'm technically at home, but then again I'm not. Sometimes I feel like that independence I've already gotten disappears, and I revert back to that teenage Pinja, but there's always that little voice at the back of my head saying that I'm not exactly home here because I don't have my own room anymore for instance. And what's not helping is also the way my parents treat me at times, although it's only natural that because I am their child they often end up treating me like one too. It would actually feel quite weird if they treated me like an unrelated adult. I guess you could say, in a nutshell, that when I'm back in Finland my parents sometimes tend to forget that I am a 22-year-old who has already moved from home once, but so do I to be totally honest with you.

I recently talked about this with my mum too, and she said that when she was younger and already moved out she used to go through the same thoughts and feelings whenever visiting back home. We also touched on the topic with my friends last weekend, and at least on some level they could also relate. Guess this is quite normal, but there's just something about the little change for the more childish me that I'm not exactly happy about. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this, can anyone else relate to these feelings?

We've come quite a long way since the early days of my blogging journey, when outfit photos were taken quickly on our home street after school, sometimes with a flash and without any basic knowledge of photography or camera settings. I'm in no way implying I'm a pro now, and there are so many other amazing creators out there whose outfit photos are million times better than mine! But it's motivating and inspiring to see how there's been improvement over the years, and I hope my photography will just keep on improving and getting better. In collaboration with Panasonic I'm now sharing a little bit more about what actually goes into my current outfit posts!1. CameraLet's start with the most important one, as camera is definitely a must for me when it comes to outfit photos! Although nowadays you can get some amazing shots with your phone, I personally prefer shooting with a proper camera. I've been using the Olympus Pen with a 45mm lens for a long time now, but there are other great cameras out there on the market too, for example the Panasonic Lumix Mirrorless 12-60mm camera, Canon EOS cameras, and the Nikon D ones.

2. Photos first, text secondMy outfit posts always start with the photos. The text just flows so much better, when there are photos around which to base the text of the post. This is very logical with outfit posts, especially if I want to tell more about a specific outfit or item of clothing, but actually all of my posts are created with this 'photos first, text second' mentality.3. InspirationInspiration for outfit photos and posts comes first and foremost from my actual life and real outfits. We might shoot the photos afterwards, but most of the time the outfits are something I've worn in uni, at work or just out and about. If I really like the outfit I'm wearing that day, I often want to shoot it later and share on the blog too. For example the check trouser outfit you see in these photos is something I wore at work one day, but liked it so much that wanted to go and shoot it on my day off a few days after. Sometimes it can also be a specific location that I want to take my photos at, and then I think about what kind of a look would work in that location. But that happens way more rarely.

4. Fitting schedules together with a photographerWhen I'm in Finland, the vast majority of my outfit photos are taken by my little brother (who actually has been taking them throughout all these almost five years, huge thank you to Eetu!), whereas in Glasgow it's mostly my friends behind the camera. Sometimes I also plan a shoot with other bloggers too. All this means that to get outfit photos there needs to be a time that suits not only me, but also the one who has agreed to take my photos. With everyone being busy with their own lives, this can be easier said than done!

5. Waiting for passers-by / entertaining themShooting in public locations definitely has its own challenges, the public and passers-by definitely being the most common one. Where to find a spot that isn't right in the middle of a crowded area where you can shoot at least somewhat in peace, but that also looks nice in the background of the photos. You simply cannot avoid people walking past giving you some amused looks, but during these almost five years I've gotten so used to it that it doesn't actually even bother me anymore. You just simply learn to wait, smile beautifully encouraging people to just walk past and play with different angles to get the people out of the shot. Luckily people are usually very understanding and often encouraging too, e.g. when shooting these outfit photos a couple of German tourists gave us a thumbs up accompanied by big smiles. That definitely brought a smile to my face too!

6. Choosing and editing the photosAfter taking the outfit photos it's time to narrow down the few that go in the post, often from well over a hundred or two hundred original ones. After deciding on the photos it's onto editing, which can take anywhere between 20 minutes and eternity. Personally my editing process involves adjusting the brightness, lights and shadows, contrast, sharpness, and other 'basic' stuff, so nothing too fancy or complicated.7. Writing and finalising the postLike I mentioned at the start of the post, the writing comes only after the photography is finished, and is therefore one of the very last things that go into my outfit posts. After finalising the text I proof read it at least once to avoid mistakes and then fully finalise the post. What I mean by finalising, is writing down where the clothing items are from, searching for the same or similar ones and making a widget of them, and adding links and other information you can find at the bottom of each of my posts. The very last thing I do is schedule the post go live, and that's it done!